Pharrell’s Louis Vuitton footwear catalog continues to lean into skate-adjacent territory, and the latest pair has already caught the attention of Vans.
Recently previewed by Pharrell, the Louis Vuitton SS27 Combi introduces another low-profile, skate-inspired silhouette under the French fashion house. The pair appears in a red crocodile-textured finish with a flat vulcanized-style sole, contrast white laces, metallic eyelets, and gold Louis Vuitton-branded hardware on the tongue and heel. With its simple shape, low-cut build, and board-shoe proportions, the design quickly drew comparisons to classic skate footwear.
Vans seemed to notice, too. After images of the shoe made the rounds online, the brand commented “ohhhh bet” from its official Instagram account, giving the moment a light but pointed response. It was not a formal statement, but it was enough to fuel conversation around how closely luxury labels continue to pull from skate footwear language.
The reaction fits into a larger trend. Skate-inspired sneakers have become a recurring theme across luxury fashion in recent seasons, with major houses borrowing elements long associated with everyday skate shoes, from padded collars and flat soles to simple lace-up constructions and familiar paneling. Pharrell’s work at Louis Vuitton has frequently played with those references, including earlier footwear designs that have drawn from his own history with skate culture and streetwear.
The Louis Vuitton SS27 Combi is currently expected to release in 2027, though full launch details, pricing, and availability have not yet been confirmed. For now, the shoe has already done what many runway previews are meant to do: spark a reaction before it ever hits retail.
Whether the final pair lands as a direct luxury skate shoe or simply another Pharrell-led LV experiment, Vans’ response has made the conversation a lot louder.
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